Article of apparel incorporating a stratified material

Abstract

An article of apparel having a substrate layer and an incised layer is disclosed. The substrate layer is at least partially formed from a material having a first degree of stretchability. The incised layer is secured to the substrate layer and at least partially formed from a material having a second degree of stretchability, the first degree of stretchability being greater than the second degree of stretchability. In addition, the incised layer includes at least a first incision and a second incision that are concentric, the first incision being positioned within the second incision.

1. A method of manufacturing an article of apparel, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a topography of at least a portion of an individual covered by the article of apparel; 
 forming a substrate layer extending around at least a portion of the individual and having a first degree of stretchability; 
 forming a ring layer secured to the substrate layer and formed of a material having a second degree of stretchability different from the first degree of stretchability, forming the ring layer including:
 forming a first ring, the first ring being a topographical line corresponding to the topography; 
 forming a second ring, the second ring being a topographical line corresponding to the topography; and 
 positioning the first ring adjacent to and within the second ring to define an aperture exposing at least a portion of the substrate layer. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the first ring and the second ring includes forming an incision in the ring layer between the first and second rings. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of forming the first ring and the second ring includes utilizing a laser apparatus to etch portions of the ring layer. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further including forming a third ring being a topographical line corresponding to the topography. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second rings are positioned within the third ring. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein forming the third ring includes forming an incision in the ring layer between the second and third rings. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of forming the third ring includes utilizing a laser apparatus to etch portions of the ring layer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further including forming a central element within the first ring. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the substrate layer includes forming the substrate layer of a textile. 
     
     
       10. A method of manufacturing an article of apparel, the method comprising steps of:
 determining a topography of at least a portion of an individual covered by the article of apparel; 
 providing a substrate layer at least partially formed from a material having a first degree of stretchability; 
 forming a plurality of concentric incisions in an incised layer, the incisions being shaped as topographical lines corresponding to the topography, the incised layer being formed from a material having a second degree of stretchability, the first degree of stretchability being greater than the second degree of stretchability; and 
 locating the incised layer coextensive with the substrate layer. 
 
     
     
       11. The method recited in  claim 10 , further including a step of incorporating the substrate layer and the incised layer into an article of footwear. 
     
     
       12. The method recited in  claim 11 , further including a step of positioning a center of the incisions to correspond with joints between metacarpals and phalanges of a foot received by the footwear. 
     
     
       13. The method recited in  claim 10 , further including a step of incorporating the substrate layer and the incised layer into one of apparel for covering a torso and apparel for covering legs of an individual. 
     
     
       14. The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the step of locating is performed prior to the step of forming. 
     
     
       15. The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the step of forming includes utilizing a laser apparatus to etch portions of the incised layer. 
     
     
       16. A method of forming an article of apparel having a configuration of footwear including an upper defining a void for receiving a foot and a sole structure secured to the upper, comprising:
 forming a substrate layer forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and extending from at least a lateral side of the upper to a medial side of the upper, the substrate layer being formed of a stretchable material; 
 forming a first ring layer secured to the substrate layer and forming at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the upper, wherein forming the first ring layer including:
 positioning the first ring layer on the medial side of the upper; 
 locating the first ring layer to correspond to joints between metacarpals and phalanges of the foot; and 
 forming the first ring layer including at least a first pair of concentric rings defining an aperture exposing the substrate layer; 
 
 forming a second ring layer secured to the substrate layer and forming at least a third portion of the exterior surface of the upper, forming the second ring layer including:
 positioning the second ring layer on the lateral side of the upper; 
 locating the second ring layer to correspond to joints between metacarpals and phalanges of the foot; and 
 forming the second ring layer to include at least a second pair of concentric rings defining an aperture exposing the substrate layer. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the substrate layer includes forming the substrate layer of a textile. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first pair of concentric rings abut each other and the second pair of concentric rings abut each other. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first pair of rings are spaced from each other and the second pair of rings are spaced from each other. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first ring layer includes a central element located within the first pair of rings.